The bike is good project began life in 2011 as a transcontinental bicycle adventure. As we pedalled from Seattle to Boston it grew into something even bigger. Life from the bike became life as we knew it, a way of engaging with the world that was much richer and honest than we had previously known. On our return to Australia we have tried to continue in the b.i.g. spirit, still happiest pedalling!

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Day 45 Dubois to Lander 127km

No, that is not a typo! We really rode 127km, now for those of you who like to ride a lot, I know this is not a huge distance. But just imagine this, first swap your 8kg carbon frame racing bike for a 13kg steel framed bike with fat tyres. Then strap about 25kg worth of oddly shaped, bulky items to the frame, now plonk yourself down into very sparsely populated Western Wyoming, where there is not a cloud in the sky and it is 30 degrees in the non existent shade. Ok, now ride 127km into a light headwind with at least 30kms of roadwork to negotiate, can you feel the sweat, the glare, the grit and gravel, the tired legs and aching bum?! At least the views were fantastic!


Today was a monster day with nothing to do but keep riding through the vast nothingness until a spot to rest was reached. We have proved to ourselves that we can do these long distances, but also that doing them by choice rather than when necessary is not our style. Days when we cannot stop to chat with a local, to enjoy a view, or are too exhausted to really be present, take away the whole purpose of this trip. Late this afternoon as we pedaled, slowly, into Lander, we again got to experience the pleasure of small towns off the tourist track. With unasked for assistance to find a campground from a friendly bloke in a passing truck, to a warm welcome at said campground and some enthusiastic advice on the cycling highlights between here and South Dakota from a guy with a tiny caravan and a passion for biking. Regenerated in spirit by these exchanges we now regenerate our bodies, carbo-loading with rice, chips and beer! Very well deserved I say! - Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

2 comments:

  1. Jackie and LizJuly 25, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    Ugh! I HATE exerting myself in hot weather! Does this mean that the light headwind wasn't even refreshing then, because it was a hot headwind? Ugh...ok, I'm not jealous of you guys anymore.

    Here's hoping the incredibly hot temperatures further east are well and truly gone before you get there!!

    Love, Us

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  2. KimJuly 27, 2011 at 4:49 AM

    This day would have been the day for that tail wind friend of yours! You two are Monsters! I would hope that you had more than one beer, and that this beer was a porter or something with rich flavor and color for all that power you put out! Shorts and Tank tops may be the clothing of choice for awhile? ;-)

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